Ghana, a West African nation renowned for its copious quantities of gold, boasts a rich biodiversity, extending just shy of the Sahara desert. The avifauna of Ghana included a total of 772 confirmed species as of August 2021. Of them, one has been introduced by humans. None are endemic. Among its diverse wildlife, birds hold a special place, with a wide array of species inhabiting the country's various ecosystems.
Map of Ghana showing different ecosystems
Ghana's National Animal: The Tawny Eagle
The tawny eagle is the national animal of Ghana. This bird was chosen as a symbol of protection and strength.
A large raptor somewhat reminiscent of a golden eagle with lighter-colored plumage, this avian can be found throughout western Africa, eastern, and southern Africa, and India. This national emblem is a skilled hunter although it is not above eating carrion or engaging in theft to obtain a meal. Compared to other eagles which live in the tropics, it enjoys a rather varied diet and hunts 200 species including flamingos, genets, and pigeons. As far as eagles go, the tawny eagle certainly isn’t the biggest and is actually considered rather small in size for a member of the Aquila genus, and medium-sized in general.
The eagle is fairly tolerant of humans in Asia and may remain passive when approached by observers as long as a certain distance is maintained.
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Bird Species in Ghana
Ghana is home to a vast array of bird species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. Here's a glimpse into some of the bird families found in Ghana:
- Anatidae: This family includes ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans.
- Phasianidae: The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls, and jungle fowls.
- Flamingos: Flamingos are wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae.
- Grebes: Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers.
- Sandgrouse: Sandgrouse have small pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk.
- Bustards: Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight.
- Musophagidae: The turacos, plantain-eaters, and go-away-birds make up the family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain-eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green, or purple.
- Cuculidae: The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
- Nightjars: Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings.
- Swifts: Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces.
This is just a small selection of the diverse bird families found in Ghana. Each plays a vital role in the ecosystem.
Birding Sites in Ghana
If you want to see wildlife in Ghana, visit the country’s different ecosystems.
- Mole National Park: In Northern Ghana, Mole National Park is a great place to go hiking, where you may see many examples of native animals, including hippos, buffalo, elephants, lions, and leopards.
- Bui National Park: The Black Volta River, which is home to a large herd of hippos, bisects this national park. You are also very likely to see other native animals, like antelope, leopards, and monkeys.
- Boin Tano Forest Reserve: The swampy area created by the Bisao and Tano rivers at this reserve is a great place to see endangered yellow-backed duiker and ursine colobus primates. This reserve’s bush-filled areas are also a fantastic place to see many of Ghana’s endangered birds, including white-breasted guinea fowls and the yellow-bearded greenbuls, along with other wildlife.
- Nini Suhien National Park and Ankasa Resources Reserve: Managed as one unit, this area in southern Ghana is a great place to see African elephants and endangered Diana monkeys. Look in the bush at this park and reserve to see how many of the 260 bird species known to have visited this park you can spot.
- Kakum National Park: The 1,150-foot-high Kakum Canopy Walkway is a fantastic place to spot Diana monkeys, yellow-backed duikers, red river hogs, and African elephants.
These sites offer incredible opportunities to observe Ghana's rich birdlife and other wildlife in their natural habitats.
Endangered Animals in Ghana
There are many types of endangered animals in Ghana, and the number continues to grow as humans encroach on more native habitats regularly. Other animals are poached, and their body parts are sold for use in traditional medicine. The country is home to five endangered mammals, 11 vulnerable species and 14 near-threatened species. While shrews and bats make up many of these endangered animals, there are also other threatened species.
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Examples include:
- African white-bellied pangolin
- Baer’s wood mouse
- Big-eyed forest treefrog
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these species and their habitats.
Additional Facts About Ghana
Ghana’s flag is comprised of red, gold, and green, with a black star situated in the center. Red symbolizes those who lost their lives as the country struggled to gain independence from British rule. The flag’s green stripe represents Ghana’s verdant forests and fertile land which provides abundant crops and the timber and shea butter it is renowned for. Finally, the black star, also known as the Lodestar of African Freedom, represents Ghanaians’ ownership and control over their land.
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